The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Volleyball Announces 2020 Signing Class
11/14/2019 4:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB volleyball team and head coach Amy Pauly announced the official signing of three newcomers to the volleyball program as part of the Blazers' 2020 signing class on Thursday.
Chloe Rodriguez, Caroline Stogner and Erin Powers will make up the class and be eligible to compete beginning with the 2020-21 academic year.
"I'm very excited for the addition of our 2020 class. This group of student-athletes has seen success at the highest level of club and high school volleyball. They are fantastic volleyball players, but more importantly, they are winners," said Pauly. "We return 14 of our 16 players next year, so not only do these 3 add depth, but they enhance the competitive nature of our gym. Each one of them is going to come in and challenge their position group and our team to step up and execute. On top of them enhancing our volleyball atmosphere, they are also going to be great representatives for UAB off the court, in the classroom and in the Birmingham community."
In her first year at the helm a season ago, Pauly led the UAB volleyball program to an improvement in every statistical category and 13 wins, the most since 2013. UAB is currently 12-13 (4-8 C-USA) with two regular season matches remaining and a bid for the Conference USA Tournament on the line. The three newcomers will be joining all of UAB's 2019 regular starters and rotation players next season.
Chloe Rodriguez
Rodriguez will join the UAB volleyball program from Portland, Texas, where she plays at Gregory Portland High School. The incoming Blazer has led the Wildcats to the postseason in each of her four years and is currently advancing as her senior season is still underway.
The middle blocker began her high school career as a freshman in 2016, when she was selected District 30-5A Second Team All-District and Academic All-District. Rodriguez was also selected to the McDonalds Spikefest All-Tournament Team that year. She followed that season by earning District 30-5A Co-Blocker of the Year, Academic All-District and All South Texas First Team honors as a sophomore. Rodriguez was also an All-State Honorable Mention in 2017. In her junior season alone, she was selected District 29-5A Blocker of the Year, Academic All-District, All South Texas First Team, TWSA First Team, a TGCA All State Athlete, Texas Sports Writer First Team Middle Blocker and to the AVCA Phenom Watch List. She also earned a spot on the Sinton All-Tournament Team and contributed to her squad receiving the AVCA Team Academic Award. In 2019, the four-year letterman was selected to the New Braunfels Fraulein Volleyvest All-Tournament Team and to the AVCA UnderArmour All-America Watch List. On the club side, Rodriguez played for the Corpus Christi Force, where she was selected to the 2017 USAV National Division All-Tournament Team.
"Chloe is an all-around middle, meaning she can do it all. She's not only a great blocker, but she's also a terminal attacker. It's hard to find a juniors player that is already well equipped to succeed in all areas of the game," said Pauly. "Chloe also embodies what it means to be a student-athlete. That's probably what impresses me the most about her - her maturity to work so hard and understand the sacrifices that need to be made, and that's why she's been high achieving on and off the court."
Stat Breakdown
2016-17: 99 sets played, 210 kills, 77 blocks, 39 digs, 16 aces,.340 hitting percentage
2017-18: 116 sets played, 330 kills, 92 blocks, .479 hitting percentage
2018-19: 122 sets played, 493 kills, 114 blocks, 11 aces, .526 hitting percentage
2019-20: 127 sets played, 490 kills, 110 blocks, .541 hitting percentage
Top match: 18 kills, 10 blocks, 6 k/s, 3.3 b/s, .474 hitting percentage
Caroline Stogner
Stogner will begin her UAB career following her time at Prestonwood Christian Academy. The Lewisville, Texas, native helped the Lions to a second-place finish in the Texas 6A State Playoffs in 2017, then led PCA to the 2018 Texas 6A State Championship her junior season. The Lions have advanced to the final four in 2019 as her senior season continues.
The outside hitter garnered First Team All-District and Second Team All-State honors as a sophomore. Stogner was selected the MVP of her district, to the playoff All-Tournament Team and All-State First Team following her junior season. In 2019, she has been selected as District MVP and to Texas' 6A State All-Tournament Team.
Stogner has also competed on the national stage, earning an 11th place finish in the 16 Open level at the 2018 USA Volleyball Junior Nationals. The following year, Stogner became a 17 Open national champion in the 2019 USA Volleyball Junior Nationals.
"Carol is one of the most steadfast players I've watched. She's been trained and played at the highest level, and she's also the go-to player on her high school team," said Pauly. "Her blend of experiences being on a national championship team, being on a state championship team in Texas and playing different roles has really prepared her for collegiate ball. She has developed into a highly intelligent 6 rotation player who is going to outsmart you. She's got a competitive attitude and a winner mentality, and she's going to push our team to step up."
Current Stats:
2019-20: 585 kills, .580 hitting percentage
Erin Powers
Powers comes to UAB by way of Mukwonago High School in Mukwonago, Wis. Splitting time at outside hitter and libero, the three-year starter and two-year captain has helped the Indians to the postseason each year and a conference championship in 2018.
The future Blazer was selected Second Team All-Conference her sophomore year, followed by First Team All-Conference and Second-Team All-State honors her junior year. Powers has become Mukwonago's career ace leader and is the closest player in school history to reaching 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs over a career.
Like Stogner, Powers has also competed on a national scale. A year ago, she led her team to a 15th place finish in the 16 Open at the 2018 AAU Volleyball Nationals and a fifth place finish in the 2018 USA Volleyball Junior Nationals. This year, she helped her squad to a top 20 finish in the 2019 USA Volleyball Junior Nationals.
"Erin brings a tenacity on defense and a feel for the game that is hard to teach a player. I knew the minute I first watched her play that she was a kid I needed in my program," said Pauly. "She has the capability to influence a match. I think that's hard to do as a libero sometimes, but her ability to frustrate attackers and then anchor the serve receive allows her to be that leader on the court. She also has experience playing outside, which I believe gives her another level of understanding and reading."
Career Stats:
2016-20: 400 sets played, 972 kills, 1,372 digs, 205 aces
Top match: 20 kills, 9 digs, 4 aces
For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter or Instagram (@UAB_VB).
Chloe Rodriguez, Caroline Stogner and Erin Powers will make up the class and be eligible to compete beginning with the 2020-21 academic year.
"I'm very excited for the addition of our 2020 class. This group of student-athletes has seen success at the highest level of club and high school volleyball. They are fantastic volleyball players, but more importantly, they are winners," said Pauly. "We return 14 of our 16 players next year, so not only do these 3 add depth, but they enhance the competitive nature of our gym. Each one of them is going to come in and challenge their position group and our team to step up and execute. On top of them enhancing our volleyball atmosphere, they are also going to be great representatives for UAB off the court, in the classroom and in the Birmingham community."
In her first year at the helm a season ago, Pauly led the UAB volleyball program to an improvement in every statistical category and 13 wins, the most since 2013. UAB is currently 12-13 (4-8 C-USA) with two regular season matches remaining and a bid for the Conference USA Tournament on the line. The three newcomers will be joining all of UAB's 2019 regular starters and rotation players next season.
Chloe Rodriguez
Rodriguez will join the UAB volleyball program from Portland, Texas, where she plays at Gregory Portland High School. The incoming Blazer has led the Wildcats to the postseason in each of her four years and is currently advancing as her senior season is still underway.
The middle blocker began her high school career as a freshman in 2016, when she was selected District 30-5A Second Team All-District and Academic All-District. Rodriguez was also selected to the McDonalds Spikefest All-Tournament Team that year. She followed that season by earning District 30-5A Co-Blocker of the Year, Academic All-District and All South Texas First Team honors as a sophomore. Rodriguez was also an All-State Honorable Mention in 2017. In her junior season alone, she was selected District 29-5A Blocker of the Year, Academic All-District, All South Texas First Team, TWSA First Team, a TGCA All State Athlete, Texas Sports Writer First Team Middle Blocker and to the AVCA Phenom Watch List. She also earned a spot on the Sinton All-Tournament Team and contributed to her squad receiving the AVCA Team Academic Award. In 2019, the four-year letterman was selected to the New Braunfels Fraulein Volleyvest All-Tournament Team and to the AVCA UnderArmour All-America Watch List. On the club side, Rodriguez played for the Corpus Christi Force, where she was selected to the 2017 USAV National Division All-Tournament Team.
"Chloe is an all-around middle, meaning she can do it all. She's not only a great blocker, but she's also a terminal attacker. It's hard to find a juniors player that is already well equipped to succeed in all areas of the game," said Pauly. "Chloe also embodies what it means to be a student-athlete. That's probably what impresses me the most about her - her maturity to work so hard and understand the sacrifices that need to be made, and that's why she's been high achieving on and off the court."
Stat Breakdown
2016-17: 99 sets played, 210 kills, 77 blocks, 39 digs, 16 aces,.340 hitting percentage
2017-18: 116 sets played, 330 kills, 92 blocks, .479 hitting percentage
2018-19: 122 sets played, 493 kills, 114 blocks, 11 aces, .526 hitting percentage
2019-20: 127 sets played, 490 kills, 110 blocks, .541 hitting percentage
Top match: 18 kills, 10 blocks, 6 k/s, 3.3 b/s, .474 hitting percentage
Caroline Stogner
Stogner will begin her UAB career following her time at Prestonwood Christian Academy. The Lewisville, Texas, native helped the Lions to a second-place finish in the Texas 6A State Playoffs in 2017, then led PCA to the 2018 Texas 6A State Championship her junior season. The Lions have advanced to the final four in 2019 as her senior season continues.
The outside hitter garnered First Team All-District and Second Team All-State honors as a sophomore. Stogner was selected the MVP of her district, to the playoff All-Tournament Team and All-State First Team following her junior season. In 2019, she has been selected as District MVP and to Texas' 6A State All-Tournament Team.
Stogner has also competed on the national stage, earning an 11th place finish in the 16 Open level at the 2018 USA Volleyball Junior Nationals. The following year, Stogner became a 17 Open national champion in the 2019 USA Volleyball Junior Nationals.
"Carol is one of the most steadfast players I've watched. She's been trained and played at the highest level, and she's also the go-to player on her high school team," said Pauly. "Her blend of experiences being on a national championship team, being on a state championship team in Texas and playing different roles has really prepared her for collegiate ball. She has developed into a highly intelligent 6 rotation player who is going to outsmart you. She's got a competitive attitude and a winner mentality, and she's going to push our team to step up."
Current Stats:
2019-20: 585 kills, .580 hitting percentage
Erin Powers
Powers comes to UAB by way of Mukwonago High School in Mukwonago, Wis. Splitting time at outside hitter and libero, the three-year starter and two-year captain has helped the Indians to the postseason each year and a conference championship in 2018.
The future Blazer was selected Second Team All-Conference her sophomore year, followed by First Team All-Conference and Second-Team All-State honors her junior year. Powers has become Mukwonago's career ace leader and is the closest player in school history to reaching 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs over a career.
Like Stogner, Powers has also competed on a national scale. A year ago, she led her team to a 15th place finish in the 16 Open at the 2018 AAU Volleyball Nationals and a fifth place finish in the 2018 USA Volleyball Junior Nationals. This year, she helped her squad to a top 20 finish in the 2019 USA Volleyball Junior Nationals.
"Erin brings a tenacity on defense and a feel for the game that is hard to teach a player. I knew the minute I first watched her play that she was a kid I needed in my program," said Pauly. "She has the capability to influence a match. I think that's hard to do as a libero sometimes, but her ability to frustrate attackers and then anchor the serve receive allows her to be that leader on the court. She also has experience playing outside, which I believe gives her another level of understanding and reading."
Career Stats:
2016-20: 400 sets played, 972 kills, 1,372 digs, 205 aces
Top match: 20 kills, 9 digs, 4 aces
For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter or Instagram (@UAB_VB).
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